STRUGGLING home owners may soon be forced to pay to have their bins emptied – on top of soaring council tax bills.

Supporters of the bin tax say it would encourage people to recycle more waste and help to protect the environment.

But campaigners claim it would be the thin end of the wedge, with councils adopting the policy as a way of raising millions in extra revenue by back-door methods.

And a leading Tory MP last night warned that the plans would not increase recycling but lead to a rise in fly-tipping.

The proposed charges – which could be as much as £120 a year for each property – are being considered for planned environmentally friendly eco-towns and set out in a restricted document drawn up by the Prime Minister’s strategy unit.

Shadow local government secretary Caroline Spelman said: “The Government has suddenly tried to get its way on bin tax despite strong opposition from local people and local authorities.

“Using eco-towns is a way the Government is attempting to get this tax in through the back door. People genuinely want to improve recycling and go green, but slashing bin services and hiking taxes is not the answer.

“Labour’s policies will harm the environment, leading to even more fly tipping and back yard burning.”

Ms Spelman said the proposals would also put people off moving into eco-towns.

“This will be a new blow to Gordon Brown’s discredited eco-town programme,” she added.

“Families will not want to live in a housing estate under the yoke of town hall bin bullies who subject their residents to bin cuts, bin fines and bin taxes.”

Doretta Cocks, of the Campaign for Weekly Waste, said: “If small bins and fortnightly rubbish collections are introduced in eco-towns, what are residents supposed to do with any excess waste?”

Matthew Elliot of the Tax- Payers’ Alliance said: “Even ­before the recession it was wrong to bring in bin taxes because people were paying enough.

But in the middle of the recession, it’s doubly wrong because people are struggling with paying bills and making ends meet.”

The Department for Communities and Local Government said councils had been asked to consider initiatives to cut waste in eco-towns but there was no pressure to adopt fortnightly bin collections or bin charges.

A spokesman added: “It is not for Whitehall to dictate the best method for waste collection. It is a decision for local authorities.”